GERLS General Info Sheet 2015-16

8/11/2019 GERLS General Info Sheet 2015-16

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- 1 -GERLS Call 2015/2016

Please refer to the “ Guide for Applicants” for detailed information.

11, Sh. Al-Saleh Ayoub, Zamalek, Cairo - Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 10.00 – 12.00 E-Mail: [email protected] URL: http://cairo.daad.de Tel.: 2735 27 26 Fax: 2738 41 36

German Egyptian Research Long-Term Scholarship to the Federal Republic of Germany

“GERLS”

As an outcome of success achieved during the German-Egyptian Year of Science & Technology

2007, a cooperation agreement has been made between the Ministry of Higher Education of the Arab

Republic of Egypt “MoHE” and the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD). Funds made

available by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education

have been allocated to create a program offering up to 81 postgraduate scholarships for Egyptian

doctoral candidates.

The target group of this program will be comprised of Egyptian researchers who generally

have been awarded M.A. / M.Sc. degrees in the past three years.

1. Background and objective

Within the framework of the long-standing cooperation between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the

Federal Republic of Germany, and in partial fulfillment of the MoHE and DAAD aims and objectives;

as well as in consideration of the funding resources and regulations of both parties, the

aforementioned parties have agreed to create the “German Egyptian Research Long Term

Scholarships” (GERLS).

2. Aim and duration of doctoral studies in Germany

Each year a group of researchers will be sent to Germany for doctoral scholarships in the scientific

fields. Priorities will be agreed upon by DAAD and MoHE.

The GERLS program will be administered by the DAAD in close cooperation with the MoHE and

German universities. Generally speaking, the scholarships within this program are awarded for 12

months, subject to extension up to 42 months.

Candidates can select adequately structured PhD courses or PhD supervisors in Germany

themselves in order to join the GERLS program. However, dual funding from universities offering

such courses and the GERLS program are not permitted. DAAD Cairo office and MoHE will support

the candidates whenever necessary.

mailto:[email protected]



http://cairo.daad.de/







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The following definitions will be used throughout this sheet:

“ Full Ph.D.” Scholarship:

Target: in all fields of academic studies except the ones mentioned under Specialization.

Degree: Ph.D. will be awarded by a German university.

Duration: up to 42 months.

“ Channel” Scholarship:

Target: in all fields of study except the ones mentioned under Specialization.

Degree: Ph.D. will be awarded by an Egyptian university,


“ Specialization” scholarship:

Target: for the study of fine and applied arts, architecture and music

Degree: without resulting in a degree


Special case:

Applicants from the fields of arts, music and architecture form a special case. Their applications will

undergo an additional selection in Germany. Such additional selection activities in Germany will be

implemented according to the procedures of the German Specialized Arts and Music Committee and

in competition with candidates from other countries. A personal interview could be conducted at the

time of the final selection in Egypt. The funding of these scholarships, however, is part of the GERLS

program.

For more information, please refer to the additional information sheet for Artists.











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3. Time line of the program:

• Call for Application: As of 15.07.2014 to 31.10.2014

• Pre-Selection Procedures: from November 2014 to end of January 2015

• Final Selection Procedures: March 2015

• Final Selection Results: April 2015

• Start of Preparation Phase in Egypt: May 2015

• First Travel Date for the start of the language course in Germany:

o For Full PHD: October 2015

o For Channel and Specialization: November/December 2015

• Start of the Academic Semester in Germany: April 2016

Kindly note that all above mentioned dates are subject to change without pr ior notice.

4. Language Requirements

4.1 English Language Requirements:

• All applicants have to submit proof of English language skills/abilities.

• This proof shall be either IELTS (band 6) certificate or institutional TOEFL (minimum score 550) or

international TOEFL (minimum score 80).

• Sufficient proof of English skills is an eligibility criteria.

4.2. German Language Requirements:

• The German language is not considered as an entry requirement by the time of the application;

however, it is a plus.

• All final selected candidates will receive an intensive language course for a period of two months.

• A placement test will be conducted to all applicants who have knowledge of German language

and have indicated this in their application form.

• Applicants from the field of German studies and German school graduates will be exempted from

the language course in Egypt and in Germany.











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5. Pre-selection application package

• Candidates have to apply online through the DAAD portal as of 15th July 2014.

• You are kindly asked to search for the GERLS program under the following link: www.funding-

guide.de, register yourself on the DAAD Portal and then fill in the application form electronically

(For more information, please refer to the guide “How to apply online?”).

• 3 copies of the application form as well as all required documents have to be sent to the

DAAD Cairo office via post latest by the deadline 31st October 2014.

• Please note, an application is only valid when it has been submitted electronically together

with all required documents via the DAAD Portal and not via email and sent as hard copies

in 3 sets to the DAAD Cairo offi ce before the deadline.

5.1 Requirements from research institut ion / university staff members:

1- General Required Information (Form is available on the DAAD website)

(http://cairo.daad.de/en/scholarships/phd/ )

2- A research proposal (Form is available on the DAAD website)


3- CV with a maximum of 3 pages. We recommend using the europass specimen form at

http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/).

4- A complete list of publications, if available.

5- Acceptance letter or an email from a German professor showing that the research project

under preparation is feasible and can be conducted in Germany under his supervision. The

acceptance letter should state the title, time frame (exact duration and starting date of

supervision according to the program timeline should be stated) and objectives of the

project. The acceptance letter should not be older than six months at the time of application.

6- A signed and stamped official endorsement letter from the applicant’s home institution

(template of which is available on the DAAD

websitehttp://cairo.daad.de/en/scholarships/phd/ ).

7- A signed and stamped official statement of employment ي ن ح لة) ) issued from the applicants`

institution/ university. The statement should indicate that the applicant is affiliated (employed)

to his/her institution/university at the time of application under the current position and should

reflect a complete history of employment (a minimum of two employment years is a must).

8- Proof of PhD registration in one of the Egyptian universities for the candidates who apply for

Channel or Specialization system.







http://www.funding-guide.de/




http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/









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9- Proof of the ethical commission’s approval in Germany in case the project is involving

experiments on animals/ human beings (If applicable).

10- Proof of English language abilities: either IELTS (band 6) certificate or institutional TOEFL ITP

(minimum score 550) or international TOEFL IBT (minimum score 80).

11- Summary of Master’s thesis maximum one page.

12- Copy of passport

13- Awarded certificates: Bachelor University transcript, Master’s University transcript, Bachelor,

Master’s and School leaving certificate

14- Two recommendation letters 3 sets each to be submitted in a sealed envelope in hard copies

only to the DAAD Cairo office (template of which is available on the DAAD website:

http://cairo.daad.de/en/scholarships/phd/ ).

5.2 Requirements from non-university s taff members:

1- General Required Information (Form is available on the DAAD website)


2- A research proposal (Form is available on the DAAD website)


3- CV with a maximum of 3 pages. We recommend using the europass specimen form at

http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/).

4- A complete list of publications, if available.

5- Acceptance letter or an email from a German professor showing that the research project

under preparation is feasible and can be conducted in Germany under his supervision. The

acceptance letter should state the title, time frame (exact duration and starting date of

supervision according to the program timeline should be stated) and objectives of the

project. The acceptance letter should not be older than six months at the time of application.

6- A motivation letter from the applicant.

7- A declaration from the applicant to assure that he/ she will settle the matter of his/ her needed

vacation with his/ her company/ university. It is the responsibility of the applicant to acquire the

needed leave form from his/her institution.

8- A signed and stamped official endorsement letter from the applicant’s home institution

(template of which is available on the DAAD

websitehttp://cairo.daad.de/en/scholarships/phd/ ). If available

9- A signed and stamped official statement of employment ي ن ح لة) ) issued from the applicants`

institution/ university. The statement should indicate that the applicant is affiliated (employed)














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to his/her institution/university at the time of application under the current position and should

reflect a complete history of employment (If available).

10- Proof of PhD registration in one of the Egyptian universities for the candidates who apply for

Channel or Specialization system.

11- Proof of the ethical commission’s approval in Germany in case the project is involving

experiments on animals/ human beings (If applicable).

12- Proof of English language abilities: either IELTS (band 6) certificate or institutional TOEFL ITP

(minimum score 550) or international TOEFL IBT (minimum score 80).

13- Summary of Master’s thesis maximum one page.

14- Copy of passport

15- Awarded certificates: Bachelor University transcript, Master’s University transcript, Bachelor,

Master’s and School leaving certificate

16- Two recommendation letters 3 sets each to be submitted in a sealed envelope in hard copies

only to the DAAD Cairo office (template of which is available on the DAAD website:

http://cairo.daad.de/en/scholarships/phd/ ).

All applicants will be able to retrieve their pre-selection result via the DAAD website according to the

timeline of the program.

Please check the electronic application form for more details starting from 01.07.2014.

Please note that incomplete applications or those received after the deadline will not be

considered.

N.B Applicants from the field of Archaeology and Islamic studies could submit the application in

German language; however applicants from the field of German studies have to submit the

application in German.

6. Selection of candidates

The candidates will be selected in two rounds. First, a pre-selection procedure will identify the group

of applicants to be invited for the second phase consisting of a personal interview with the GERLS bi-

national independent selection committee. Pre- and final selection of the candidates will be conducted

according to, but not limited to following criteria:

• Excellent study achievement.

• Good command of languages: English language command is required, while German

language command is a plus.











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• Scientific merits, including:

A -Quality of the proposal B -The benefit to Egypt

C -Preparation and feasibility of the project D -Quality of the acceptance letter

7. Stipend:

The GERLS scholarship includes:

• A monthly basic stipend of 1000 Euros for a Ph.D. candidate, plus individual surcharges and

standard annual allowances.

• A monthly family allowance if applicable.

• An allowance for health insurance.

• German language course and cultural preparation course.

Such amounts are subject to change and will always be adapted according to the general

regulations for DAAD scholarships.

8. German language courses

8.1 In Egypt:

• Each scholarship holder is entitled to receive German language and intercultural training in

Egypt up to two months before the candidates’ travel to Germany.Distribution among

language centers will be defined by the DAAD Cairo office.

• After the elapse of language course a unified final exam will be conducted at Goethe Institute

Cairo/ Alexandria.

• For the candidates who didn’t pass the final exam the DAAD may offer the possibility to attend

the second crash course at the Goethe Institute and therefore a second test.

• In that case, the decision will be taken by the DAAD. The test fees should be covered by the

candidate whereas the crash course fees will be covered by DAAD. Subject to the availability

of fund.

• A per diem will be provided to the scholarship holders according to the distance between the

scholars’ home University/Institute and language course center.

• Scholarship holders are expected to arrange for their own health and liability insurance for

these courses.











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8.2 In Germany:

• Each scholarship holder will receive an intensive German language course in Germany up to

6 months. All scholarship holders are expected to achieve the B2 German language level.

• Failing in the language course will have consequences that will be borne by the scholarship

holder.

• During the language course duration the following aspects will be covered:

o The costs of accommodation.

o The costs of health, accident and liability insurances.

o Travel allowance from the language center to the host institution or university at the

end of the language course in Germany.

o The return costs from the language course location to the host University /Institution

for a preparatory visit may be paid.

9. Please note that:

• Applicants from the field of Music, Architecture & Fine arts have to submit their portfolio at the

DAAD Cairo office right after the application deadline 31st of October 2014. For more details,

kindly refer to the respective information sheet.

• Applicants form the field of medicine cannot do any clinical training within this scholarship; no

license to practice medicine in Germany is possible.

• Scholarships granted to applicants from private universities/ ministries or freelancers will be

limited in numbers.

• There are no quotas for individual institutions or disciplines.

• Priority will be given to younger scientists.

• Final selection phase will be based on the interviews, which will take place in the first quarter

of 2015 at the DAAD premises in Cairo; however, the exact date will be defined later by the

DAAD Cairo office.

• The DAAD is not in the position to inform the applicants about the reasons of the committee's

decision.

• If the research proposal requires a field study to be conducted in Egypt, kindly refer to the field

study information sheet and indicate it in the application.











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• Among the reasons for disqualifying an app lication are the following :

a) Wrong history information and misleading information about previous applications.

b) Incomplete application.

c) Submitting two different proposals or two different accounts in one cycle.

d) Dual application with other programs (kindly refer to the dual application matrix).

e) Dual nationality of applicant.

f) Hand made changes and corrections in the acceptance letter.

g) Plagiarism (e.g. copied data from the internet wi thout stating the references). For

more information please refer to “ Safeguarding Good Scientific Practice

Guideline” : hyperlink

h) Fraudulant documents.

• Detecting plagiarism in any application during pre- and/or final selection phase, will lead to

disqualification of the application from the respective GERLS call.

• Applicants, whose research require transferring samples to Germany; have to pay attention to

the Transfer Material Agreement (MTA) and the procedures to be followed accordingly.

• Generally applicants should not reside outside Egypt for more than six months at the time of

application.

• The application for the GERLS scholarship program is limited to 3 trial times.

• GERSS Alumni targeting a PhD title are encouraged to apply for the GERLS program after

returning back to Egypt provided that they fulfill the requirements of the GERLS program.

• GERLS candidates who have been accepted but could not make use of the scholarship due to

justifiable reasons or budget limitations will be exempted from the pre-selection procedure and

will be automatically invited to the interview of the call following the year of their application

providing that they are applying with the same proposal and a new acceptance letter with a

recent date. Normal application procedure is, however, mandatory for these candidates.

• Applicants should indicate any changes in their proposal and what has been developed and/or

changed since the last call.

• GERLS scholarship holders and applicants whose spouse has been granted a DAAD or

MHESR scholarship should inform the DAAD accordingly.

• Candidates should pass the language course in Egypt and Germany as well. The required

level to be reached in Germany is B2, unless otherwise prescribed by the host university.

• Medicine candidates should be employed by their home university 2 years after residency

period.











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11, Sh. Al-Saleh Ayoub, Zamalek, Cairo - Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 10.00 – 12.00

• Changes in the submitted proposal will require the approval of the independent selection

committee and a new endorsement letter of the home university.

• The award of scholarships is subject to the availability of funds.

An incomplete appl ication is the responsibil ity of the applicant.

10. Further Information and Inquires:

10.1 Information:

This info sheet is also available on the following website:

• http://cairo.daad.de

10.2 General Inquires:

General inquiries concerning documents submitted or program description should be directed to

Mr. Adel Younis

E-Mail: [email protected]

Tel.: 27352726 – 27384127 Ext. 124

Fax: 27384136

Kindly note that your inquiries will be only answered during the working days (Sundays-

Thursdays) from (9:00 – 17:00). Please avoid last minute submission of application, as the

GERLS team is not operating on weekends.

Contents of this information sheet are subject to change without prior notice.

We would like to draw your attention that DAAD is offering proposal writing workshops for doctoral

candidates on the DAAD premises. For interested applicants, kindly check our website:

http://cairo.daad.de or send us an e-mail: [email protected].















Documents

GERLS General Info Sheet 2015-16